MBS International named Michigan Airport of Year

MBS International Airport’s new passenger terminal has only been open for about four months, but already it’s being recognized as a premier facility.

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Aeronautics has named MBS its Michigan Airport of the Year. With more than 200 public service airports in the state, ranging from small grass fields to Detroit Metro Airport, being singled out in such a manner is quite an honor, said Jeff Nagel, MBS airport manager.

“The project was such a community-focused effort, and the entire Great Lakes Bay Region should be proud of their accomplishment,” Nagel said. “It’s nice to be recognized in this way.”

Nagel said MBS garnered the honor for not only its new terminal but also for adopting what Mike Trout, executive administrator for the Office of Aeronautics, cited as the “most comprehensive airport zoning ordinance in the state.”

The award was presented Thursday at an awards luncheon in Lansing, part of the annual conference co-sponsored by Michigan Department of Airport Executives and the State Office of Aeronautics. Trout presented the award to MBS airport leaders including Commission Chairman Darnell Earley (City of Saginaw), Commission Secretary Ernie Krygier (Bay County), Commissioner Brandon Krause (Bay County) and Commissioner Tom Adams (City of Midland). Nagel, Ryan Riesinger, assistant airport manager, and Pat Frame, an engineering/architectural consultant from the firm of RS&H — the new terminal’s designer — were also on hand for the ceremony.

Trout commended MBS for using innovative funding (no tax dollars) and community relations strategies for constructing an outstanding facility that benefits the entire Michigan airport system.

“Or first goal, first and foremost, was to build a terminal to last 40 to 50 years,” Nagel said. “Our second goal was to have it make a statement about our region. Thirdly, we wanted to maintain the customer convenience that has always been a hallmark of MBS. We have no stairs, elevators and escalators.”

Earley and other officials said MBS will continue to enhance the economic viability of its service areas for years to come.